Decision report and conditions of consent
On 21 April 2026, the panel determined to:
grant the solar farm approvals
grant, in part, the residential development approvals sought, subject to the conditions in Appendix A of this decision
decline the retirement village and the associated approvals sought.
- Ashbourne decision (PDF, 1 MB)
- Appendix A – MPDC – LUC – NSF (PDF, 538 KB)
- Appendix A – MPDC – LUC – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 1 MB)
- Appendix A – MPDC – LUC – SSF (PDF, 530 KB)
- Appendix A – MPDC – SUB – DAY 0 (PDF, 219 KB)
- Appendix A – MPDC – SUB – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 363 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – PERMANENT – Diversion and damming – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 280 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – PERMANENT – Diversion and damming – SSF (PDF, 234 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – PERMANENT – Stormwater-RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 443 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – PERMANENT – Structure in water – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 217 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Dewatering – Groundwater take – NSF (PDF, 209 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Dewatering – Groundwater take – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 210 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Dewatering – Groundwater take – SSF (PDF, 209 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Drilling below the water table – NSF (PDF, 153 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Drilling below the water table – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 153 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Drilling below the water table – SSF (PDF, 153 KB)
- Appendix A – WRC – TEMPORARY – Land disturbance – RESIDENTIAL (PDF, 390 KB)
- Appendix B – Resource Consent Triggers (PDF, 116 KB)
- Appendix C – Basin Catchment Overview Plan (PDF, 1 MB)
Appeal rights
The panel’s decision can be appealed to the High Court in whole or in part on questions of law only. Any of the following persons may appeal:
the applicant (or, if the substantive application was lodged by more than 1 authorised person, the person who was proposed to hold the approval)
any relevant local authority
the Attorney-General
any person or group that provided comments in response to an invitation given under this Act.
A notice of appeal must be filed with the Registrar of the High Court within 20 working-days after the date on which the decision document that relates to the approval is published.
Appeals can be served on the panel by emailing them to: general.counsel@epa.govt.nz.
or by post to:
Ashbourne expert panel
c/- Environmental Protection Authority
Attn: General Counsel
Private Bag 63002
Wellington 6140
Further details on how to proceed with an appeal are covered in section 100 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 No 56, Public Act 100 Procedural matters – New Zealand Legislation